Vols Mailbag: Could running back Jeremy Banks end up the starter?

The Tennessee Vols play their second game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. It’s been a rather dull week but don’t fret; we have mailbag questions.

It’s Friday! Hopefully, your workday isn’t dragging by, and you’re bosses are okay with you taking a little break to read about Tennessee basketball forward Yves Pons being able to fly.

It has been a boring week on Rocky Top coming off a 59-3 win over East Tennessee State. And, now UTEP comes to town with a 14-game losing streak.

These past two weeks have arguably been the worst two weeks in Tennessee football history. However, the Vols should be 2-1 heading into a Florida weekend where they have a legitimate chance to win.

On to the mailbag, but first, we know you all have questions, thoughts, and comments. Maybe you want to write in and thank me for giving you straight winners in our gamblings picks. That’s okay too. Plus it’s Florida week!

b.williford14@gmail.com is where you can contact us for the mailbag.

Jordan D writes…I know it’s football season, but did you see the video of Yves Pons dunking the ball from the free throw line? What are your expectations for Pons this upcoming season?

It’s funny how we are starting to settle into football season yet Jordan has a question about basketball. I love writing and covering basketball. In fact, I would rather do that than to write about football.

Plus, this 2018-19 Tennessee basketball team could be special. I said this a lot last season, but I think there are a handful of teams that can actually win a National Championship and I think the Vols are one of them.

They have talent and experience in every position, and the depth on the team could end up being the best in the nation. Speaking of that depth, I think everyone expects Yves Pons to play a more significant role this season.

Yes, I saw the video. And, yes it was ridiculous. Pons is a freak athlete. Once he understands the game a little better, there is no reason he couldn’t be one of the best defenders in the whole country. He needs to continue to work on his shot, but man if he can knock down a mid-range jumper it is scary what he could do.

Hear me out for a second. The Vols could honestly look a lot like Kentucky from a couple of years ago by playing ten guys.

Starters: Jordan Bone. Jordan Bowden, Admiral Schofield, Grant Williams, Kyle Alexender.

Bench: Lamonte Turner, Jalen Johnson, Yves Pons, Derrick Walker, D.J. Burns

That is a scary team on paper. You can mark it down that I’m on record saying the Vols at least make the Elite Eight next season barring injury.

Sam T writes…Jeremy Banks looked like the best running back on the team last week. Do you think he will be named the starting running back at any point during the season?

Jeremy Banks did look outstanding last week. Before Gary Danielson said it, I mentioned Banks looks like a typical Alabama running back that plows over the defense. He runs extremely hard and is tough to bring down. He will straight up punish you for trying to tackle him.

However, that was against ETSU, so I want to see him with a couple of more games under his belt before I get too hyped up.

As for your question, I don’t think there is any way he is named a starter unless there are a ton of injuries. I believe Jeremy Pruitt is okay having four running backs. Can you imagine if the Vols had a good offensive line? They would be unstoppable.

I do however think Banks ends the season leading the team in rushing touchdowns. Who is going to be able to stop that guy from 3-yards and in? I’ll wait.

Josh C writes… Tennessee has the No.11 ranked recruiting class for 2019. Do you think they stay that high and do you think they lose any big names from the class?

I thought Jeremy Pruitt and staff were going to piece together a top ten class months ago, even when it was ranked in the 30’s. I don’t see it moving very much. They aren’t going to jump to the top 5, but I also don’t see the class slipping past the top 15.

As for a prospect they could potentially lose. The one thing that sucks about recruiting is you can’t get too excited about a player until signing day. I have never had a good feeling about offensive linemen Wanya Morris.

Let me be clear; I have no inside knowledge on this subject. Morris could bleed orange (Tennessee orange). He could stay a Vol.

Maybe it’s because it’s hard to wrap my mind around why the No. 8 recruit in the entire nation wants to come to Tennessee off the worst season in program history. Not to mention a decade of being irrelevant.

Jim D writes…What is going on with Jauan Jennings? Why can’t we get him the ball?

Jim, great question. Like all Vol fans, I’m sure you have been yelling at your television about getting Jennings the ball. I personally don’t think there is an issue. It just happens to be the circumstance.

Last week the Vols didn’t need him. They could have played all walk-ons and still won the game. But, I was a little thrown back by the lack of targets against West Virginia.

Moving forward, Jennings will have a more significant part of the offensive game plan. Don’t expect anything big from him this week but Florida he should be the Jennings Vol fans are used to.

Thanks for the questions Volnation. Again, if you want to be featured in the mailbag send your questions to b.williford14@gmail.com. We hope to hear from you.